Judge preparing for trial on gay marriage ban

FILE--In this March 5, 2013 file photo, April DeBoer, left, and Jayne Rowse, and pose at their home in Hazel Park, Mich. A federal judge is waiting to rule on the constitutionality of Michigan's gay marriage ban until seeing how the nation's highest court handles cases involving a gay marriage ban in California as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The state case involves Rowse and DeBoer, who are challenging a law that prohibits them from jointly adopting children because they're not married. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge is setting aside at least eight days for a trial on Michigan's ban on gay marriage.

Judge Bernard Friedman held a conference call with attorneys Wednesday to discuss the trial, which starts Feb. 25 in Detroit federal court.

In 2004, Michigan voters banned gay marriage. But two Detroit-area nurses are challenging it as unconstitutional, as well as a state law that bars them from adopting each other's kids.

The judge will hear from experts. The state attorney general's office says heterosexual marriage provides the best family setting for children. Attorneys for Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer say research shows there's no difference for kids in same-sex households.

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